Air-cushioning apparatus for printing-presses



(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 1.

R. MIEHLE. I AIR GUSHIONING APPARATUS FOR PRINTING PRESSES, &c. No. 430,665.

lfatented June 24, 1890 b (No Modl.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

R. MIEHLE.

AIR GUSHIONING APPARATUS FOR PRINTING PRESSES, &c.

No. 430,665. Patented June 24, 1890.

WITNESSES: I IIVVEA/TOI? fl XML W ATTORNEY 4- Sheets--Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

B. MIEHLE.

AIR cusmomue APPARATUS FOR PRINTING PRESSES, &o. No. 430,665.

, Patented June 24, 189 l7///// (No Model.)

4 SheetsSheet 4. R. MIEHLE.

AIR GUSHIONING APPARATUS FOR PRINTING PRESSES, &c. v No. 430,665. Patented June 24. 1890.

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UNITED STATES I PATENT Or-rion.

ROBERT MIEHLE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

AIR-CUSHIONING APPARATUS FOR PRlN TlNG-PRESSES, 810C.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 430,665, dated June 24, 1890.

Application filed May 18, 1889.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, ROBERT MIEHLE, a citizen of the United States, and residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Air-Cushions for Printing- Presses or other Machinery,which is fully set forth in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, to wit: This invention relates to air-cushioning devicessuch as used in printing-presses, bagfolding machines, (which have a reciprocating bed or frame,) or other machinery in'which heavy bodies are reciprocated, and are stopped at the end of their stroke by means of aircushions or air-springs.

The object of this invention is to facilitate handling these same air-springs by automatically controlling the valve which allows the air to pass from the cylinder of the air-spring at the most desirable time.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal side view in elevation, partly in section, showing the invention applied to a printing-press. Fig. 2 is part of an end View of same, showing the outlet-valve in an open position. The same figure also illustrates the valve in a closed position by dotted lines. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal side View insection, showing one oscillating air-cylinder and piston, (and the mode of connecting the valve and connecting pipes to same,) which cushion the bed in both directions of its stroke. Fig.4 is an end view of same, having the pipe connections and valve in position with the driving-belt.

In Fig. 1 (and all other drawings) letter A designates the main frame of the press with the usual impression cylinder B mounted therein. The bed 0 has its position in the usual tracks or ways 0. At the under side of the bed is secured piston-rod E, having pistonhead D,which pass into and out of the cylinders F F,which are bolted to the main frame at each end.

To each cylinder is connected a pipe, as a, leading to the belt-pulley frame a, which is secured to main frame A. The pipes are held in position by the clamp 12. The upper ends of the pipes are connected by a valve, as c, which allows the air to pass from one cylinder to the other, when no cushion is required.

Serial No. 311,342. (No model.)

The lever or stem 0 of the valve is formed with prongs or a fork h, which has a position around the driving-belt 0 by which power is applied to the press or machine.

The position of the belt in Figs. 2 and 4 is shown to be on the loose pulley or idler b, and to start the machine the belt-shifter d is used to guide the belt on the tight pulley b which is keyed or otherwise secured to shaft G.

In Figs. 3 and 4. I have shown an air-cushion consisting of but one air-cylinder and piston for cushioning the bed or frame in both directions, in which the air-cylinder is mounted in a bearing 011 the main frame, and the piston-head and rod secured to the bed or moving frame, the operation of which is illustrated very clearly by the dotted lines at the time the bed has reached the end of its stroke in both directions. To allow the air to escape from the cylinder in this arrangement, there is formed an outlet in that part which forms the journal of the cylinder. Into this outlet is screwed a stud-bolt n, which has a shoulder or washer formed in center of same, as shown in Fig. 4, which prevents the cylinder slipping out of its bearing. Upon the outer end of the stud-bolt is secured the elbow of pipe at. This elbow is screwed 011 loosely, so as to allow the journal of the cylinder to turn without straining the piping.

The pipe at is provided with an outlet-valve c, as shown in Fig. 4:- This valve in turn is operated by the belt 0. It is evident that when the press is started and the type-bed 0 moves with a speed to require cushioning, the valve 0 should be closed; but not before the bed has attained such a speed, as a great strain is brought to bear upon the bed motion to draw the press-bed past the point of cushion, which sometimes results in making the belt slip from off the pulleys. It is also evident the valve should not be opened until the press-bed has reduced the speed of its motion to an extent as to not require cushioning. This would be some time after the belt is shifted onto the loose pulley andthe pulley-shaft has made several revolutions without receiving any motion from the belt. obtain this desired automatic operation of the valve, I place valve 0 in a position about as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 4.; but the position may be varied to any point around the belt best suited to give the result sought for. It follows that when the belt is shifted to ride upon the tight pulley b the belt will gradu ally work itself over to line with. said pulley 19 as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 2, and when the belt gets in this position the valve 0 will be closed, which will readily be understood by the action of the belt upon the valvestem, which isalso illustrated in Fig. 2. As it takes several revolutions of the pulleys to work the belt into a straight line ample time will be given to the press bed or frame to attain a speed or motion which would require cushioning, and when the belt is again shifted to. ride on the loose or idle pulley, and the same has worked itself into its straight or normal position, the valve is again opened and the air is allowed to pass freely from the cylinder or cylinders.

By the above description it will be seen thatthe shaft G (which has connection and imparts motion to the bed-driving mechanism) makes several revolutions before the belt acts-upon the valve-stem or lever, and thereby giving ample time for the press-bed to attain a speed before cushioning the same, and also allows it to reduce its speed before throwing off the cushion, thereby removing any danger of breakage of parts or annoyance of any kind to the attendant.

To facilitate a nice adjustment of the time of closing and opening the valve, telescopic tubing may be used at the upper end, as ff and f f, and collars g g to keep the same in place. By this arrangement the pipe may be lengthened to any point, (limited by the extension and the valve to be adjusted,) to be closed and opened sooner or later.

It will be understood that I do not confine myself to any particular style of position of through gravity,oraspring may be employed to act instead, without departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim is 1. The combination, with an air-cushioning apparatus consisting of a cylinder and piston, of a valve to control the air from passing in and out of said cylinder, said valve being operated and controlled by the belt, (which communicates motion to the machine,) when moving from one pulley to the other, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a printing-press, the combinationof the press-bed, air-cylinder and piston, a valve to control the air, and the belt which communicates motion to the machine, the valve being controlled by the movement of said belt from one pulley to the other, substantially as described. I

3. In a printing-press, the combination, with an air-cushioning apparatus consistingof a cylinder and piston, and a valve to control the air from passing in or out of said cylinder, said valve being operated and controlled by the belt, (which communicates motion to the ma chine,) when moving from one pulley to the other, of the piping which connects the valve with the cylinder, being adjustable so as to change the time of opening and closing said valve, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof Iaftix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT MIEHLE.

Witnesses:

GEO. W. FRITZ, HENRY SCHAFER. 

